FGCU runs out of magic, as Florida chomps Cinderella run short

Mar. 30, 2013
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Florida Gulf Coast Eagles forward Chase Fieler (20) lays the ball up over the defense by Florida Gators center Patric Young (4) in the first half during the semifinals of the South regional of the NCAA tournament at Cowboys Stadium. / Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports

by Eric Prisbell, USA TODAY Sports

by Eric Prisbell, USA TODAY Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Florida Gulf Coast, the free-wheeling No. 15 seed that has redefined the term Cinderella team, took the court against Florida as if this were a pickup game near the beach in Fort Myers.

In 75 years of the NCAA tournament, college basketball fans has never seen a collection of pressure-free players quite like the "Dunk City" Eagles, the first No. 15 seed ever to play in the Sweet 16.

Throughout their game against third-seeded Florida, they used the same unbridled enthusiasm and unmistakable athleticism that fueled upsets over Georgetown and San Diego State. But ultimately they struggled to contend with Florida on the boards and navigate its defense, bowing out of the NCAA tournament with a 62-50 defeat before an announced crowd of 40,639 at Cowboys Stadium.

Florida Gulf Coast had been the most refreshing, most compelling story line during the NCAA tournament's first week. The Eagles have been in Division I basketball for just six years and eligible for postseason play for just two. Their coach, Andy Enfield, has an MBA in finance, a model for a wife and a team full of players who had no clue that they had no business playing this deep into the NCAA tournament.

But as often happens to small school underdogs in this tournament, reality hits when they collide with elite power conference teams in the Sweet 16. The exuberant FGCU fans continued to wave banners and flags to the very end Friday night, even as fans supporting other schools streamed to the exits in the game's final two minutes. And in the final seconds, the FGCU fans stood and applauded the players, as Florida fans chanted "Almost Midnight," referencing the end of the Cinderella run.

"When they started their run we did not have the energy we had in the other two games," said Eagles forward Chase Fieler. "We were not playing with the same fire that we had before."

FGCU players said that Enfield told them in the locker room after the game that they should always be proud of what they accomplished because they made history.

"Our plan was not to become some great national story," Enfield said. "Our plan was to go in, compete and win games. ... Our players believed and they accomplished something special."

After squandering an 11-point first half lead, Fieler threw down one of the Eagles' trademark dunks to slice the deficit to seven points with 3:14 to play. Florida, a veteran team that is one victory away from giving coach Billy Donovan his fourth Final Four appearance, just had too much poise to crumble.

Florida ranked among the nation's top five in offensive and defensive efficiency. And the Gators appear to have all the pieces to make a strong run at Donovan's third national title.

But they likely will need to play better â?? and shoot the three-point shot better â?? if they hope to beat Michigan on Sunday. But what is always the constant for this team is its defense, which forced Florida Gulf Coast to commit 20 turnovers and rush its offense at times throughout the game.

The Sweet 16 featured several compelling matchups â?? Duke-Michigan State among them â?? but none more intriguing than FGCU-Florida. The Eagles on Thursday exuded total confidence, talking about shattering backboards and not taking the Gators too lightly.

And even after a stunning first game at Cowboys Stadium, in which Michigan stunned Kansas in overtime, Florida Gulf Coast served as the main event. A buzz resonated from the crowd as tip-off neared. And from the start, the high-flying Eagles did not disappoint.

FGCU made five of its first six shots, including an alley-oop dunk (naturally) and a three-pointer from about 25 feet. The Eagles led Florida 15-4.

But the Eagles will rue the rebounds they let slip through their hands throughout the half. They shot 56.3% in the half but trailed by four at the break.

"I tried to recruit Shaq and Bill Russell at halftime,'' Enfield said. "But they were busy.''

Florida's best offense in the first half was a missed shot. The Gators grabbed 10 offensive rebounds and outscored the Eagles 11-2 in second-chance points.

And after some first-half above-the-rim fun, the Gators put an end to what had been the best story of the tournament, sending the Eagles back to the beach after a three-game run no one will soon forget.

"I think we learned a lot here,'' Eagles guard Brett Comer said. "I think we learned we can do anything if you set your mind to it.''

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